Character: A key ingredient for success Eccl 10: 16-17, Gal 4:1, Gal 5: 22-23

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1 Character: A key ingredient for success Eccl 10: 16-17, Gal 4:1, Gal 5: Everyone is called to be a leader in one social setting or the other - the family, school, work place, professional and interest groups, church, among friends/colleagues and at various levels of the larger society. This is because leadership is taking responsibility to influence others towards goals of beneficial interests. As we aspire for higher levels of significance and success, such responsibility gets higher and more demanding. God expects us to build capacity to enable us function effectively as promotion comes. While skill, competence, experience, etc are also important attributes, the most vital and all-embracing aspect of such preparation is in character. Character is all as everything eventually rises and falls on character. Therefore it is essential that we continually grow into maturity in character in order to withstand future challenges. Our discussion today focuses on developing character in readiness for greater opportunities of leadership. Discussion According to Billy Graham, When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost. Discuss When a leader is a baby in terms of character development, he is ultimately a failure no matter what other qualities he seems to possess. He or She makes a terrible leader. The following are some of the factors that help to shape, correct and strengthen our character for future challenges and opportunities: a. Doing and hearing the Word of God. Acts 20:32, Jam 1: b. Right association. 1Cor 15: 33, Prov 13: 20 c. Godly parenting. Prov 22:6, Deut 6: 6-9, 1Cor 13:11 d. Deliberately and consistently doing the right thing Psalm 1: 1-3, Gal 6: 9, 2Tim 2: 19 e. Maintaining consistent fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Eph 3 :14-17, Ps 27:4-6 f. Living with an attitude of service towards others Phil 2:4-5, Mark 10:42-45, Gal 5: g. Living with a sense of purpose and vision John 4: 34, Phil 3:13-14 Mention others All round success in life is the constant desire and yearning of most people. We strive to attain success but fail to develop the essential ingredients necessary to sustain it. God has greatness and prosperity planned into your destiny, but to succeed, you must develop Godly character. Godly character is most precisely expressed as the fruit of the Spirit in Gal 5: Developing yourself in such character qualities today guarantees your success tomorrow, both as a person and as a leader. You will succeed in Jesus Name. Amen.

2 129th May, 2013 CHILDREN HOME FELLOWSHIP OUTLINES 6-11 Showing Respect 1Peter 2: 17 Showing respect means: a. Listening while others are talking b. To take turns c. To help others do assignments and housework. d. No shouting down on others e. Worshipping God Why we should show respect God likes it and wants it It makes us live in peace with one another 3. It makes people love us 4. Respect makes things happen more easily for you. Memory verse: 1Peter 2: 17a Show proper respect to everyone Puzzle: Respect, Humble, Happy, Love, Kindness, Parents, Friends

3 Understanding your Parents Eph. 6:1-3, Proverb 1:8 As teenagers, we crave for more freedom, wanting to be heard, proving a point. We want our privacy and many more which most times conflict with our parents expectations. Sometimes as young people, we feel that our parents don't like us because of all the restrictions we get from them. Today our focus of discussion will be on how to improve our relationship with our parents. Most teens have one complaint or the other about their parents. What do you think are the causes of Parent-Teen rifts? Proverb 13: 24 A few years from now, most of your friends would have moved on but your parents will always be there for you. Here are few things you should know about parents. a. Your parents LOVE you genuinely even when they seem to be annoying. b. It's their God given responsibility to guide you. Proverb 22: 6 c. Your parents want you to show responsibility and maturity. d. They have experience you can learn from. e. Understand that parents can make mistakes too. Conclusion: Honour and respect your parents because it is a commandment from God.

4 20th - 25th May, 2013 The Role of Maturity in Business Success Eccl 10:16-17, 1 Cor 13:11 Succeeding in business requires having more than technical skills. To a large extent, our successes as business practitioners depend on our ability to develop and achieve a balance of spiritual, emotional, mental and social growth, built on the foundation of sound character. The absence of these qualities will put a limit on how far we can achieve God's intention for us in our business or career pursuits. Immaturity in any of these areas can destroy a business pursuit or career. This will be the focus of our discussion today. Can you identify some of the common traits that demonstrate immaturity in the following areas : Spiritual (relationship with God) Emotional (discipline in thought & action) Mental (Education and its application) Social growth (Relationship with people) Does any of these traits identified above resonate with you either as a business owner or employee of an organization? Although God has packaged a glorious destiny for us in business, unlocking our full potential is contingent on our ability to grow up (Gal 4:1-2) Below are tips on how to develop maturity in order to be effective in managing our businesses Vision: Have a vision of greatness and don't allow your current circumstances to limit you (Hab. 2:1-3) Right association: Associate and learn from those who will stretch you to reach further (Prov. 13:20) Persistence: Don't give up easily, learn to persevere until you achieve your aim Respect for others: Have respect for yourself and others (Phil 2:3) Integrity: Be a person of your word (Eph. 5:11) Courage: Be courageous, even when it seems your dreams are not taking shape (Num 14:8-9, Josh 1:9) Fellowship with God in Prayer and studying the bible Mention others It takes maturity to lead either a business or even one's life, according to Eccl 10:16 a land is unlucky if its king is a pup. As Christian business leader or an employee of an organization we need to grow up spiritually, emotionally, socially and also acquire education, either formal or informal, in order to maximize the opportunities God will bring our way. You will succeed.

5 CHILDREN HOME FELLOWSHIP OUTLINES LITTLE STARS 1-5